Ward B musical chairs: Who's left standing?

Published 7:01 pm, Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The drama in Ward B among district Democrats appears to be having a longer run than "Phantom of the Opera."

After settling the hash of the incumbents with the election of a challenge slate, the Dems moved on to picking delegates to the state convention. Bobby Burgess, chastened by the defeat of his slate by Travis Simms and the other challengers, was looking forward to attending the convention as a delegate. That's not going to happen.

Burgess claimed he and Simms had an agreement on the makeup of the delegation. Simms' reply was in effect "what agreement?" In politics as in war, the spoils belong to the victors.

It's another setback for Burgess, the Ward B chairman, who seems to losing his grip on what was once his personal fiefdom.

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It's been a long time since an article of clothing took on significant political importance.

The so-called "hoodie" favored by high school and college athletes, drug dealers and boys in the 'hood has achieved that with its symbol in the Trayvon Martin case. In case you've been on Mars these recent weeks, he's the 17-year-old shot to death by a volunteer neighborhood watch member. As the stories are sorted out, the teenager approached a private neighborhood in Sanford, Fla., carrying a can of iced tea and a package of candy.

The volunteer has claimed he was attacked by the teenager and suffered bruises -- bruises which did not seem visible in a police tape of him being escorted into headquarters. The event prompted demonstrations around the country and one was held yesterday in Norwalk.

Hizzoner Dick Moccia planned to attend but says he won't be wearing a hoodie, the symbol of the protests.

The mayor has a right to wear whatever he wants -- it may have been more politically wise, however, to just show up without a hoodie rather that announce ahead of time he won't wear one.

Hmmmm … I guess I'll have to go through my wardrobe of hoodies -- all donated to me. There's the Western New England U. Golden Bears, given to me by a daughter-in-law, a Ludlowe High hoodie, gift of a grandson, a UConn one, gift from a daughter. I wear them on my daily walks. Should I refrain? Am I sending the wrong message?

At least I can wear my Red Sox sweatshirts -- none of them are hoodies.

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Republicans are making much about the open mike gaffe of President Obama, leaning over and telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that after the election he can be "more flexible." A boo-boo, to be sure.

But who can forget -- in my mind at least -- the most outrageous open mike goof, this one uttered by President Ronald Reagan?

At the height of the Cold War he was about to appear on a radio interview and, as a soundcheck, said "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." The mike was live.

Just kidding, all you Russians.

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So much for civility.

A recent forum on the topic of civility, both in the media and in everyday discourse, was held locally. The discussion was indeed civil, and three members of the media answered questions after stating their own views on the topic. The panel members included The Hour's co-managing editor, Jerrod Ferarri and Froma Harrop, syndicated columnist.

So what happens in a debate among the five Democrats competing for the Senate seat being vacated by Joe Lieberman? Chris Murphy, considered the most likely choice, crossed swords with a little-known challenger, Lee Whitnum, a software engineer from Greenwich.

They argued heatedly about aid to Israel -- Whitnum strongly opposed to it -- and the debate hit its low spot when she called Murphy "a whore" and said he has his head in the sand.

She added "Elect someone who is not pro-Israel … somebody who doesn't drink the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Kool-Aid."

This was her first debate, after being barred from one in Norwich, after which she sued the sponsors. The other candidates in the debate were Susan Bysiewicz, state Rep. William Tong and Matthew Oakes of East Hartford. Some expressed reservations about allowing Whitnum from participating in future debates.

Oh well, what is that old political dictum? "It doesn't matter what they say about you as long as they spell your name right." I guess.

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The Romney campaign will bring its secret weapon to Connecticut on the eve of the Republican primary. Ann Romney will be the keynote speaker at the Prescott Bush dinner in Stamford April 23. That's the night before Republican presidential primaries in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. What a coincidence!

The candidate's wife has been proven to be his secret weapon, and he needs all the help he can get in this state. Romney's picking up some chits with this visit -- he hosted a fundraising lunch for Foley in 2010 when Foley was the GOP's nominee for governor. They are both Harvard Business School grads.

Romney's wife has been a constant presence on the campaign trail, despite suffering from multiple sclerosis.

The hope is that her obvious charm will overcome Mitt's stiffness as a campaigner.

She certainly has appeal for the family vote -- five sons and 16 grandchildren, the fruits of 43 years of marriage.

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The Senate campaign of Linda McMahon for the nomination is feeling some heat from former Congressman Chris Shays after a poll shows him in a virtual tie with the leading Dem contenders.

The latest Quinnipiac poll shows Shays in a virtual tie with either of the top Dem candidates, Rep. Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz, former secretary of the state.

It seems that the bigger hurdle for Shays is the Republican nomination, not the general election.

If he were running just in Fairfield County, his old congressional district, he'd have a good shot, swimming against the Democratic tide. As a statewide candidate, it's a different story.

Some of the smart money guys are saying Linda McMahon's high-water mark may be the same 43 percent she garnered in her losing effort in 2010 against Dick Blumenthal.